Hunter's Deli in Newcastle's Grainger Market is selling hundreds of Saveloy Dips every week, with the sandwich described as "a true Geordie classic" that customers cannot get enough of.
The traditional North East favourite is made with layers of saveloy sausage, pease pudding, and mustard inside a bread bun, which is then dipped in gravy. Sage and onion stuffing is also included, though not always, according to the Grainger Market Facebook page that highlighted the popular version sold at the deli.
Popular orders at Hunter's Deli
The market's post said Hunter's Deli "serves hundreds of Saveloy Dips every week", adding: "It's one of their most popular orders with people who have eaten the sandwich for as long as they can remember and those trying one for the first time."
The post also described the dip as: "Made with a hot saveloy served in a soft stottie, pease pudding, mustard and dipped in a rich gravy - just the way it should be."
Deli's history and market renovation
Owner Julie Higgs has run Hunter's Deli for around 29 years. The stall was forced to relocate from its original site due to the market's £9m redesign, and its new spot in the arcade is twice as big. "It is beautiful, it makes such a big difference," she said at the time.
The deli sells locally-made stotties from Big River Bakery, which has been celebrating National Stottie Week, while fish business Lindsay Bros. is another market outlet selling the bread for its crab and kipper sandwiches.
Customer reactions
The Facebook post sparked a flood of comments, including one from a customer in Spain: "omg my mouth is watering but I live in Spain! You will never know how much I miss a saveloy dip."
Other responses included "Was there today", "my favourite", and "l get them every week; always delicious." One person wrote: "I could eat one right now but it's a bit far to travel. Queensland Australia to Newcastle is about 24-30 hours but it would be worth it if it wasn't for the air fare."
More comments included: "I have to travel from Edinburgh back to Geordieland to get them" and "can't get them in Leeds either, purely North East thing". There was also praise for other shop products, such as pies, ham and pease pudding, and coronation chicken, with one person saying: "I go there nearly every week for my sandwiches ... they are all good stuff".
Some customers shared their own preferences, including "No mustard on mine thanks, just pease pudding then dipped cheers!" and "not a real saveloy without stuffing." When one person questioned the treat's roots, saying it "isn't Geordie though is it", another replied: "Get over yourself."
One commenter added: "I'm crackin' on in years, and I can remember eating saveloy dips when I was a small child. I'm sure other counties lay claim to it, too, but it belongs to us as much as to anyone else."
The reply continued: "I'm moving back to the North East very soon, after many years away, and I'll certainly be calling in there." One person was impressed with the sandwich's size, writing: "Got a large one a few weeks back. It was bigger than my heed."
